A CHARITY which promotes healthy living has been given a £25,000 boost after winning a top award.

Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living beat 351 charities to take the Impact Award for its outstanding contribution to improving health in the borough, according to the organisers.

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and health charity The King’s Fund held the Impact Awards to highlight the work of charities.

They said that the monetary part prize has become a ‘vital’ source of income for charities who win due to funding cuts from government.

Judges at the awards were impressed by Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living’s commitment to improving health in the area. They highlighted projects such as the Citizen’s Jury that identified health needs of the area which volunteers then targeted, the mobile gym bus and the Health Buzz, which gives advice and exercise to deprived neighbourhoods.

Abdul Mulla, chief officer Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the work we do has been recognised by winning this prestigious award which would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our staff and volunteers.

“This Award will help us to continue working with local people in developing innovative solutions to improve health and wellbeing in some of the most disadvantaged communities in Blackburn with Darwen.”

Katie Pinnock, director of UK corporate contributions at GlaxoSmithKline, said: “Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living is an imaginative organisation, with good grassroots engagement improving local health.

“The judges were particularly impressed by how they have put the community voice at the heart of its decision making, from identifying challenges through to problem solving.”